On Cyber Monday and beyond, online shoppers should take steps to protect themselves, officials say.
This year, online holiday sales are projected to reach a record-breaking range of between $218.3 billion and $226.2 billion between November and December, according to an analysis from the National Retail Federation, a retail trade association. Online sales will be roughly 11 to 15% higher than last year’s, which was $196.7 billion.
Online scammers have many methods, such as sharing dangerous links in emails, setting up fake charities and selling fake toys through a third-party vendor, cyber security experts say.
Some hackers try to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers by extracting personal and financial information from shoppers through websites and charities, according to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Another way to steal information is by searching for weaknesses in their devices and internet connections, officials from CISA say.
During the holiday shopping season, it is especially important for consumers to take proactive measures to protect their information while shopping online, CISA says.
Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess says people should think before they click, especially when it comes to emails. If you receive an email with links, you should approach it with caution and avoid clicking anything unless it comes from a credible sender, he said.
Most email programs will show the user the real target address and the sender. For example, if you get an email that appears to be from your bank, but the email address doesn’t seem legit, don’t click on any links in the email, Burgess said.
When holiday shopping, people should take advantage of security features on websites, such as passwords and two-factor authentication.
“Two-factor (authentication) is an extra layer of security for your accounts to make sure you’re the only person accessing your account even if (someone else) has your password,” Burgess said.
You should also check the website’s privacy policies to see how a company will use or distribute your information, according to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, a federal agency focused on online intellectual property rights.
The center has a significant role and police the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods on websites, the dark web, and social media, and is partnering with Homeland Security Investigations division, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the FBI and The Toy Association to share information with a goal of helping consumers make educated decisions while searching for the best holiday deals.
Officials at the IPR Center recommend keeping a record of online purchases and order confirmation pages and comparing them to your bank statements. If there is an issue or discrepancy, consumers should report that immediately.
Shoppers should also keep an eye on where the goods are coming from and their authenticity, the IPR Center says.
There are several risks that come with buying counterfeit products. For example, counterfeit electronics can overheat and explode, fake cosmetics can be made with dangerous ingredients that should not be applied to skin, or counterfeit holiday lights could be a fire hazard, officials say.
When sold online, these counterfeit goods can put shoppers at higher risk of having their personal and financial data stolen and used for criminal purposes. Online shopping is especially vulnerable to scams that trick people into buying counterfeit or pirated goods, IPR Center officials say.
“For most, the holidays represent a season of good will and giving, but for criminals, it’s the season to lure in unsuspecting holiday shoppers,” Matt Allen, director of the IPR Center, said in a news release.
Fake toys are a concern because they are unlikely to comply with toy safety laws that are designed to protect children, Steve Pasierb, Toy Association president and CEO, said in a news release. The Toy Association is a trade association representing the toy industry.
Consumers should only purchase products from reputable retailers and should be cautious when using third-party vendors, IPR Center officials say.
Consumers should also check the reviews of product sellers and verify there is a working phone number or address for the seller, officials say.
If consumers aren’t familiar with a particular company, they should research them before purchasing any items. If a deal seems too good to be true from a retailer or third-party seller, it probably is, IPR Center officials advise.
If consumers suspect they are a victim of a scam, they should contact local law enforcement.
